The bees of Malia

One of the most renowned jewelry designs of all time, The Bees of Malia, an incredible artifact hosted by the Heraklion Μuseum, Crete.

The bees of Malia are considered to be of the most definitive archaeological findings of Jewelry from the Minoan civilization. These gold bees are depicted storing away a drop of honey in a comb. 

The finding is displayed at the 'Heraklion' Αrchaeological Μuseum in Crete. It dates back more than 3800 years. Excavated by the French from the Chrysolakkos necropolis in Mallia, Crete, first published in 1930 (P. Demargne, BCH54 (1930) pp.404-21 and pl.19).

Even with today's standards, the skill and craftsmanship evident on the Malia bees is phenomenal and unsurpassed, and still leaves even the most skilled jeweler breathless and bewildered with its granulated detail and extremely challenging structure. This item constitutes one of the most important and renowned specimens of Minoan art and ancient jewelry on a universal level.

It was a pleasant surprise to come across a beautiful set of electronic publications distributed openly on the internet about ancient Greek archaeological sites and museums. We invite all our friends who are interested in ancient Greece and would like to browse specific archaeological sites and museums before visiting (or others who are in the mood for some ancient Greek homework) to browse and enjoy!

The National Archaeological Museum

Author: Nikolaos Kaltsas 
Year Published : 2007
© Copyright: EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. / John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation
ISBN: 978-960-89339-2-7
Publisher: OLKOS
Pages: 464E-Book ENE-Book GR

More ebooks on Greek museums and archaeological sites..

• Samos: The archaeological museums
• Τhe Archaeological Museum of Pella
• Τhe Archaeological Museum of Thebes
• Marathon and the Archaeological Museum
• The Archaeological Museum of Olympia
• The National Archaeological Museum
• The Archaeological Museum of Delphi
• The Archaeological Museum of Herakleion
• The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
• Delos
• Elefsis: The Archaeological Site and the Museum
• The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus
• The Acropolis Museum
• Greece at the Benaki Museum

The Hellenic Ministry of Culture has the copyright in these photographs and in the antiquities that constitute their subject and the Archaeological Receipts Fund receives the royalties from their (physical?) publication.

GreekJewelryShop's jewelry collection visits Sydney on the 24th November with ancient Alexander treasures

We're happy to announce partnership with another one of the world's key museums. November 24th is the opening date for the first ever display on such large scale of Greek antiquities at the Australian Museum in Sydney lent from the permanent collection of the Hermitage. Apart from viewing one of the most significant collections of antiquities from the reign and era of Alexander the Great, visitors to this event from around the world will also be able to view and purchase a large collection of Ancient Greek Jewelry from our very own collection which will be the official merchandise at the Museum gift shop.
Over 400 significant ancient artifacts from the hermitage will be on show which are travelling in 3 different shipments from Russia for security purposes. The selection of our jewelry available for purchase at the gift shop consists of numerous Hellenistic jewelry and coinage jewelry in the form of rings, necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and earrings.

Tickets and further information about the event are available from the dedicated Alexander in Sydney website